Song you must know: J-MILLA, “Boomerang”

Speaking of stunning musical pairings, J-MILLA and a choir created magic together on their new single “Boomerang.”

The rising hip-hop star’s latest release, which dropped on Friday, highlights the rapper’s interest in the concept of karma, expressed through the line: “As you call into the forest, so it echoes back out.”

J-MILLA’s song also features traditional indigenous instrumentation, which helped him conjure up those memorable lyrics.

“When I heard the instrumental, the line immediately came to mind: “As you call into the forest, so it echoes back out.” “That inspired me to write the rest of the song, which is based on the effect of karma that causes the movement of a boomerang when it is thrown. What we put out into the universe, we ultimately get back. Recording the song was a no-brainer for me, from the moment I pressed record, everything went very well,” explains J-MILLA.

For the song, the rapper collaborated with the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir (CAAWC), whose communal voices blend seamlessly with the show’s slick hip-hop production. The sample used in “Boomerang” comes from a song the CAAWC recorded in Germany in 2015.

“I always wanted some kind of cultural interest as an introduction to the song. I was inspired by a film called Higher terrainwhen I was looking for cultural elements for my music. When I was looking for them, I came across the CAAWC and knew immediately that I needed something from them. I love their sound and the melodies they come up with. These ladies are very special, definitely national treasures. Their sample gives the track a strong opening and brings a unique feature that contrasts extremely well with my mood,” says J-MILLA about working with the choir.

The accompanying music video for “Boomerang,” directed by Tully Hemsley in Darwin, captures the essence of J-MILLA’s roots and community. The clip, our current Video of the Week, features home video-style footage highlighting the artist’s personal connections and the landscapes of his childhood (see below).

J-MILLA’s recent achievements include performing on Triple J Unearthed during Naidoc Week 2023 and finalizing Acclaim’s 2024 All Stars list. His music has been streamed over four million times across platforms.

J-MILLA has a gig to look forward to this year, having booked showcase slots at major music events such as BIGSOUND and SXSW Sydney, and will also be appearing at the Clancestry Festival at the QPAC Concert Hall in Brisbane on Wednesday 31 July alongside Radical Son and others.

“Boomerang” by J-MILLA is available now.